The 2011 Annual Report on Broadband in Washington, http://broadband.wa.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2011BBAnnualRptFINAL.pdf, was released in January by the  Washington State Broadband Office, part of the Washington State Department of Commerce.

The report states that 44% of Washingtonians have access to at least 4 wire line providers, significantly above the national average of 9.3%, and 53% have access to at least 5 wireless providers, again significantly above the national average of 24.8%. Washington State has the nation’s third highest adoption-of-broadband rate at 77% and Washingtonians in rural areas are only 9% less likely to use broadband services than those in urban areas (pages 10-11). Still there is much to do to bring broadband services to libraries and to the individuals in the communities they serve.

The Washington State Library partnered with the Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) to bring high speed broadband connections to 100+ libraries in rural and tribal communities. NoaNet’s project will touch 170 Washington communities and 2,200 schools, hospitals, libraries, colleges and public safety facilities.  The NoaNet project focuses on building infrastructure. Focusing on adoption of broadband are projects by the EdLab Group, Toledo Telephone, and Zero Divide.

EdLab’s Communities Connect Network’s February 2012 newsletter provides information about their projects and about digital inclusion, insuring that no one is left behind. The Acting Washington State Librarian, Rand Simmons, serves on EdLab’s Council of Digital Inclusion and on the Advisory Committee that oversees the 21 Communities Connect broadband projects.

You can occasionally take the girl out of the northwest or the library, but you can’t take the northwest libraries out of the girl. After growing up across the northwest in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, Shawn’s travels to the east coast, Great Plains, and southern states taught her that we have the best of everything right here in the Puget Sound. She began working in public and academic libraries during high school & college to pay for her tuition and soon realized that it became much more than an after school job. “My public services, cataloging, and computer experience led to a dream job cataloging digital art and photo images,” Shawn observes.

Shawn left her home in Oregon and moved to the Seattle area. Years of work at a video production studio taught her digital asset management skills (briefly holding the title of “DAM Specialist”); a chance to earn a library degree; and eventually start her own library consulting service, Metazilla.

As the National Digital Newspaper Program coordinator at the Washington State Library (WSL), Shawn combines interests in travelling, libraries, and digital asset management. Her commute between Washington State Library in Olympia and the University of Washington’s (UW) Suzzallo Library in Seattle allows her to work with two great teams of dedicated librarians. “Between WSL and UW I work with half a dozen volunteers, staff, and students adding metadata and text for searching via the Chronicling America website hosted by the Library of Congress.” These papers will eventually be uploaded to the State Library’s historic newspaper site at http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/newspapers.aspx.

In the spring, Shawn will travel to meet librarians across the state to talk about the historic newspapers we are digitizing and to which we are creating valuable access. Shawn reports, “It’s been a lot of fun seeing the great headlines, ads, and images that describe events between the mid-1800s through the early 1920s.” The newspapers directly tie in with our genealogy research and Washington Rural Heritage projects. Every week Shawn hears about other newspaper digitization projects from museums, publishers, and libraries. “It’s an exciting time to read first-hand accounts of ‘the early days.'”

“We are so glad to have someone so capable step into this important project,” notes Marlys Rudeen, Head of Digital and Historical Collections. “Plus, she’s a lot of fun.” Acting State Librarian, Rand Simmons, agrees. “It is wonderful to have Shawn as part of the State Library team. Each week I look forward to the two days that she works at the Central Library in Tumwater.”

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released its report on the State Library Survey for fiscal year 2010. The data collected through this annual survey show that state library agency revenues fell by 24.1 percent in the previous decade and that reduction in staff has been one of the largest impacts of this shortfall. Despite this, state library agencies continue to provide essential services to libraries.

The majority (80.7 percent) of FY 2010 revenues to state library agencies still come from the states themselves. In 2010, 39 state library agencies experienced a loss in state contributions to revenue from 2009 levels, among them the Washington State Library. One of the largest impacts that declining revenue has had on state library agencies has been reduction of staff. State library agencies witnessed a decrease of 6.5 percent from 2009 part of a decreasing trend since 2005.

The Washington State Library reported a total budget of $11,109,000 for Fiscal Year 2010. 61.2% of the revenue was from state general funds, 34.1% was from federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, and 4.7% was from other sources such as our National Digital Newspaper Project, a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  We reported a staff of 75 full-time equivalents (FTE). To look at this another way, following the cuts from the 2011 legislative session and the November-December 2011 special legislative session, our operating budget stands at 9,644,286 and our FTE count at 66.9.

Our decrease would have been greater but we received $1,028,000 from the diversion of Heritage Center funding to support the historical societies, Arts Commission, and Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Since the beginning of the recession in 2008 (2007-2009 biennium) our budget has fallen by 37% and our staff FTE by 33%. The story is even more dramatic if you look at what has happened since the 1999-2001 biennium, roughly 10 years ago. While on the average state library agencies have seen a decrease in operating funds of 24.1 percent, our operating budget has fallen by 46%. Staffing has fallen by 57.7 percent at the Washington State Library. In the same period of time the Washington State general fund – state has grown by 55%.

Each year the State Librarian visits legislators to present the Washington State Library story. The next economic and revenue forecast is due next Thursday, February 16. A preliminary budget from the Senate may occur the week of February 20. Once again we wait for the proverbial shoe to fall. 

Laurie Fortier leads a team of individuals that receive, retrieve, catalog, and maintain our federal and state publications. Acting State Librarian, Rand Simmons, describes Laurie as “passionate about her work and very knowledgeable.”

Although Laurie Fortier is officially part of the Technical Services unit of our Central Library services, her skills are so varied she could easily work in any area of the Library and still be quite at home. She assists at the reference desk, works with digital materials, copy catalogs, upgrades bibliographic records, prepares books and periodicals for binding and repair, and serves as our resident expert on government materials particularly in collection development for Washington State publications.

She has a phenomenal memory for detail, and is the one person who can actually find a State publication when the customer says something like, “It had a green cover with a picture of a salmon and the word ‘Nuclear’ in the title. That’s all I can remember.”

“Also, she makes us laugh. A lot,” says Program Manager Steve Willis. “That’s a good quality in these difficult times. If you want to get on her good side bring her a box of Dots candy.”

Never afraid to learn new skills, Laurie will be spending the next year learning the procedures for circulation and also the basics of original cataloging.

Thanks, Laurie, for help us all to move forward at the Washington State Library.

Kathleen Benoun has worked at the Western State Hospital (WSH) Branch Library for over 30 years. She is a tireless advocate for libraries and the rights of the mentally ill. Her value to the hospital and the library is described by the WSH Director of Consumer Affairs in this way:

  “Kathleen is the consummate librarian – resourceful and always aiming to satisfy her customers at the library. WSH patients have very few places to go on their free time, and the library is their haven for learning, socializing, and feeling welcomed by fellow patrons and especially Kathleen. Kathleen redefines the word dedication. She goes the extra mile for patients and has even served as an informal advocate as she tries to make life a bit better for persons served by the hospital. Kathleen communicates the joy of accessing the library and that was most evident when she recently spoke at the I CAN meeting. But most importantly, Kathleen understands patient issues and is a role model for others on how to co-exist with persons with severe mental illness. She exemplifies spirit of giving by pointing out the path of learning for all patients to benefit. Kathleen is a soldier who respects patients and the illnesses they bear, only she does it with absolute grace, dignity, and from the bottom of heart.”

She is a joy to watch in action, working alone and serving as many as 40 patients at one time. Her interactions with her customers are delightful and were described by Acting State Librarian Rand Simmons as “performance art.” Laura Sherbo, Branch Library Services Manager says “There is always a note of panic in a patient’s voice when I answer the phone in the WSH Library. Nobody can take Kathleen’s place, even for a simple phone request.”

In addition to her work in the library, Kathleen helped create the Western State Hospital Museum and she acts as a docent for tour groups. In September she hosted an open house in the museum in honor of both National Recovery Month and the Pierce County “Heritage Happens” Month.

Thank you, Kathleen, for your years of dedicated service to WSL and the patients at WSH.

Link to ILS blog posts about the WSH Museum: https://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/category/ils/. Enter WSH Museum in the search box.

The result of the Special Legislative Session held in November and December 2011 was a cut of nearly $1.4 million to the Washington State Library’s 2011-2013 biennial budget, a 12.5% reduction. $498,000 was directed by the Legislature and the remainder is the State Library’s portion of the cut to the Office of the Secretary of State.

The cuts will be addressed in the following ways: 1) implementing 8 days of furloughs, January 2012 – June 2013; 2) closing the Evergreen Radio Reading Service (Washington Talking Book & Braille Library) and a library branch at the Washington State Penitentiary and reducing service to half-time at the Eastern State Hospital library branch; 3) reducing staffing through full and partial layoffs, voluntary reductions, and not filling budgeted vacancies; and 4) reducing or eliminating travel, training, equipment, and materials budgets and money set aside for a new integrated library system.

During the recession that began in 2008, the State Library’s budget has fallen by 30% and staffing, now at 67 FTEs (full time equivalents), has decreased by 35%. Since 2001, operating budgets have declined by 46% and staffing by 58%.

Symbolic of the effect of budget reductions during the recession (2008 to present), our lobby is now unstaffed. Signs direct customers to the second floor which is now our only service point. Traditionally we have had three service points, reference, genealogy, and circulation.

In the current 2012 session the Secretary of State is introducing legislation that will allow the State Library to charge out of state customers for research services, particularly obituary lookups. We have sponsors in both the Senate and the House for SB 6047 and HB 2222. We ask that our supporters  continue to monitor our progress through the 2012 session. More cuts may be in store for state agencies as the Washington economy struggles to recover.

You know that person in your life, family or friend, who can somehow always calm things down and put a positive spin on the world?  That person is so important, and perhaps even more vital in a work environment.  For the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL), that person is Amy Ravenholt.  Amy joined WTBBL as our Assistant Program Manager in July 2008 and oversees the reader’s services, shipping, audio book production, braille, and radio reading service departments.  She is a true asset to WTBBL and contributes not only to our productivity, but to all our activities, helping plan events, do outreach visits, and keep all of us grounded.

Prior to joining WTBBL, Amy worked twenty-four years in the Yakima regional library system. Her last position there was overseeing the Sunnyside Library Branch. We know we managed quite a coup hiring Amy, and people across the state are always asking us to say “hi” to her and to tell her that they miss her. She is a graduate of the University of Washington Graduate School of Library and Information Science (now the iSchool), enjoys dancing, remodeling, and cooking (including super treats for our potlucks!).

Tyler, our Patron Registrar, describes Amy as, amidst a staff of strong personalities, “always able to smooth over any rough edges and help us work together.” Calmness is a natural part of her personality, and a true benefit to library staff, volunteers, and patrons. David, WTBBL Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, also praises Amy’s finesse working with different personalities and stakeholders while keeping many plates spinning.

Wes, a Reader’s Advisor, points out her sense of humor and says, “she seems to be the eternal optimist.” Amy is also our Keystone Library Automation System (KLAS) administrator. Working with specialized and quirky databases certainly can require optimism and Amy brings it. She has developed a complex understanding of the many modules and most importantly, she can articulately and elegantly work with the vendor to ensure we are getting the data and performance we need from the system. Amy is a master with details and patience. Rocio, WTBBL Receptionist, appreciates Amy’s knack for teaching others and giving excellent instructions.

All of us have grown to count on Amy to be the calm at the center of the storm. Theresa, Audio Book Production Supervisor, cites Amy’s ability to “stand firm and calm” and to “do her very best to be fair to everyone.” Danielle Miller, Manager of WTBBL says, “I for one can’t think of anyone with whom I would rather share the responsibility of running our unique service. I hope that Amy is part of the WTBBL team and family for many years to come; we need her and we admire her!” 

Marilyn Lindholm is the Executive Administrative Assistant to State Librarian Rand Simmons. She joined the State Library in June 2006 and worked for former State Librarian Jan Walsh. Prior to coming to WSL Marilyn worked in the private sector and for 15 years was employed by the Department of Correction.

In addition to helping Rand with administrative tasks, and in a time of staff shortages, Marilyn manages the supply inventory, and arranges travel for managers and employees as needed. Deputy State Librarian Marlys Rudeen notes that Marilyn’s knowledge of travel and fiscal regulations and requirement is valuable. “She is so efficient it just helps us all.”

Most recently Marilyn has taken on the task of Volunteer Coordinator for the Central Library. Marilyn recruits volunteers, coordinates with lead staff, processes HR documents, and serves as liaison between the volunteers and program staff. To date she has recruited five genealogy research volunteers who will help backup public services staff by researching obituary requests.

Rand Simmons says, “It became apparent that if we were to manage our research backlog volunteers were needed. Program staff do not have the time to do the recruiting, manage the HR paperwork and be liaisons with the volunteers. I asked Marilyn to take on the responsibility which she willingly and cheerfully agreed to do.”

Reverting to a childhood Romper Room memory, Marilyn says she’s, Little Johnny Everything, “I just make believe and sing.” She makes the office a whole lot of fun, too. Thanks, Marilyn!

This week’s staff spotlight shines on our Public Services team. Leslie Christensen is the “first face” of the Washington State Library that many of our customers encounter.

She greets and assists customers as they enter the library, in person or on the phone, and makes each of them feel welcome. As the supervisor of the lobby, library circulation, and interlibrary loan, Leslie ensures that all library material transactions comply with quality standards. She mentors and oversees the lobby staff. In addition, Leslie monitors the library’s online chat reference service and the ongoing projects done at the circulation desk.

Program Manager, Lori Thornton, says, “Leslie has capably handled management of the lobby for years. After the February 2010 layoffs, Leslie worked alone at the circulation desk until Terry Mayo and Glenn Parsons joined her this summer, each working half-time.” In 2010, Leslie took on interlibrary loan as an added responsibility. She reorganized and streamlined the process so that she could absorb the workload previously handled by several people. Glenn Parsons now assists Leslie with interlibrary loan tasks and Terry provides afternoon coverage at the circulation desk so that Leslie is free to assist with chat reference and complete other duties.

Leslie also assists Lori Thornton with the Baby Read program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. (See our blog post: https://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/2011/01/washington-state-librarys-baby-read-addresses-raising-babies-in-prison/)

According to Rand Simmons, Acting State Librarian, “People come to libraries because they want to be in a place that is welcoming and inviting. Leslie’s positive customer service makes the Washington State Library Central Library a place to which our customers want to return.”

Thanks for representing us so well, Leslie!